Update Missionary Life | Summer 2024 USA

Hey my big family!!!

Summer has arrived and is almost over here, bringing many news and records of God's movement in the past 3 months. So, sit down—grab your cup of coffee or tea and get ready!

First of all, I want to tell you that every time I stop to write a newsletter, I feel immense gratitude and the sensation of speaking personally with each person who receives it because you are all part of what God is doing here as well. :)

This season has been filled with “Advances” but also with some moments of “pause,” accompanied by the signal to “catch your breath” in every sense. And in the following paragraphs, you’ll find out why—stay tuned! Haha.

ADVANCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS!

- VISA:

By God's grace, my Religious Visa has been APPROVED!!!

It was over 2 months of waiting, during which your support and prayers were essential, and I am very grateful for that—especially to Sharon Miner and the lawyers involved in the entire process who helped me prepare the documents and provided all the necessary guidance. Without a doubt, God has used their lives to impact not only mine but also the lives of many other international missionaries who are called to this nation through the YWAM Salem base.

- Driver's License / Car / Insurance:

After a period of prayer for guidance, PROTECTION haha, and God's provision regarding my car, I was able to move forward and pass my final driving test. With my license in hand, I could finally get my car up and running.

Yes, family—I have a car that I received in January 2023.

- In summary: This car came as a clear answer from God to a question I had made with the comment: “If God really wants me here in Salem, He needs to give me a car!” Well, this was at the beginning of a Wednesday evening, and the next morning I received the message that I was getting a car. (Clearer than that, you can't get, right?)

However, at that time, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with a car and also didn’t have the necessary conditions or documentation, plus I was entirely focused on school—DTS. But after over a year, with much prayer and seeking to understand from God what to do with the car, I experienced all the answers in just one week with the necessary documentation and maintenance.

Just thinking and writing about all this makes me reflect on how we are blessed with the privilege of doing EVERYTHING with God’s word and guidance. From the simplest to the most complex aspects of our lives—not relying on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6), but allowing ourselves to be guided by God in all things.

MORE PEOPLE BEING MOBILIZED!

This summer, we held the “HERE I AM” event—a call to missions that brought together people from within and outside our community for 2 days of worship, praise, testimonies, and evangelism. We were inspired by missionaries who have been on this journey for over 60 years and saw young people, aged 16-17, saying "YES" to the call to go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19-20). Was really amazing be part of that!

LEARNING AND TESTIMONY!

I believe that as we live with intensity, we create testimonies, and this summer I had the privilege of sharing some of mine about how I hear God's voice and how this has brought me to where I am today during one of the Sunday Bible teachings led by Nona Annette at Jefferson Baptist Church | Jefferson, OR.

I also had the honor of completing the Evangelism Intership program offered by the Gospel Focus Ministry, which exposed us to many opportunities of evangelizing people in the city of Salem who have different beliefs and/or perspectives on the Gospel. It challenged us to seek more knowledge and share the good news with more people through different initiatives. For sure I had a great time!

DAILY MISSION!

This summer, I’ve also remained focused on the DIGITAL ministry, and I can see how my heart has been led to see social media as a significant window through which many lives can be impacted anywhere in the world, especially in places we cannot reach physically.

Before embarking on missions, I worked to help my clients establish a digital presence for their businesses, but now I see how this was preparation to contribute to the ministry here at the base. I have the opportunity not only to apply what I’ve learned but also to continue learning and developing in this area.

Between scripts, photos, videos, and creating content that informs, connects, and inspires people, our focus remains the same—making God's name known among all nations!

For me, what is most incredible is seeing people reaching out to us through digital platforms and sharing how they have been impacted by this tool we are using for the kingdom of God.

DEVELOPMENT!

Living in missions seems to multiply the years by 10, but physical age seems to be reduced (sometimes haha). We constantly experience new things with God, which—in my opinion—makes us more susceptible to spiritual attacks, as we dedicate 24/7 of our time to the Kingdom of God.

Tears and laughter have bravely accompanied me in these past months, and I won’t lie saying that the desire to give up hasn’t appeared numerous times. But, you know, the way I’ve seen God’s grace and love envelop me in each difficult day has made me persevere. I share this to remind us that YES, we will go through trials and that the believer’s life is not perfect, but good cheer should prevail.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

NEW PROJECTS!

I want to close this letter by sharing for the first time a project that I believe has been directed by God for my calling—a cookbook in English that I have written, which contains a special touch of God’s word and how I see the art of cooking revealing our likeness to our Creator—THE FLAVORS OF BRAZIL!

At first, I believed this project would be just a means of fundraising, but it has actually become another way to share the Gospel with people. Currently, I only have the English version, but I’ll give you a spoiler that I’ll be working on other volumes with new recipes in Portuguese. (Let’s pray! Haha)

Below are the available links for those who wish to purchase and support my project—feel free to contact me if you want more information. :)

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! I know it’s a long letter, but I love sharing the wonders that God has done in my life with you.

I want to know, "How can I pray for you?" So please don’t hesitate to send me a message sharing YOUR prayer request, okay?!

If you wish to continue praying for me, here are some prayer requests:

• God’s word and guidance for the next season

• Growth and learning in the necessary tools within the Digital ministry

• The impact of the cookbook I created, which shares not only the flavors of my nation but also the word of God

• More people being impacted through my life and ministry as I continue my mission journey

Thank you!!! Without the support and prayers of each one of you, I wouldn’t be here today. The invisible God becomes visible in my life through each of you! :)

BOOK: THE FLAVORS OF BRAZIL!

Amazon Ebook: Digital option like KINDLE

Ebook Hotmart: Digital option like PDF

Paperback: Still in editing.

Other ways to contribute: check here!

YWAM Salem | Summer Celebration 2024!